Mags: New Aussie glossies

The November cover of Vogue Australia ($7.95, on sale today), featuring Elyse Taylor in Gucci, is nothing short of stunning, while the resounding message inside is, "Get out your pearls, girls!". No longer the singular domain of ladies who lunch, Vogue pairs pearls with denim to create a hip aspirational look we can all achieve... pocket money withstanding.

This issue is an ad-get: meaning, the 'jewellery special' is flush with ads for – you guessed it! – jewellery. The pearl, as seen in the front-of-book Paspaley ads, takes centre stage as the stone du jour: "There's something so supremely elegant about a single strand of pearls," writes editor Kirstie Clements. "In keeping with the season, pearls seem so fresh and perfect for the summer that is just around the corner."

Other jewellery advertisers include Dior watches, Omega watches, Tiffany & Co., Versace watches, D&G Time, Pandora, Kailis, Thomas Sabo, Mondial Neuman, Lannah Dunn, She Jewellery and Cartier (who've taken out the back cover). Catherine McNeil draped in strands of pearly baubles in the manner of a Christmas tree makes for a captivating visual...

Despite the infatuation with shiny, sparkly things, the issue also has a beachy vibe, with bikinis, straw hats and sunglasses adorning pages. The couture shows also get reviewed; Alberta Ferretti is profiled (as she is in this month's marie claire also); fashiony types say "Bon Voyage!"; Jessica Boyce writes about shared finances; Vogue Talks profiles the new crop of female singer/songwriter talent (Lisa Mitchell, Kate Miller Heidke and Gin Wigmore); designers talk about their musical muses; and seven notable Australian women talk happiness.

Meanwhile, Good Health magazine ($6.95, on sale today) has run with a grainy shot of Elle Macpherson sporting pink hair extensions and no visible signs of her 45 years. The supermodel talks to the magazine about The Beautiful Life, being an ambassador for SMILE, and practising Bikram yoga. She also sneaks in a mention of Invisible Zinc.

The magazine encourages us to get fit with our mates, make the switch to soy (perhaps So Good, as promoted by Delta Goodrem?) and seek bliss. Features include 'Gear up for summer', 'Double act' (twice the health benefits for the same amount of effort), 'Fact or fiction?', 'Could you be iron deficient?', 'Addicted to health', 'Healthy heart at any age', 'Become an optimist!', and 'My lightbulb moment', a celebrity spread featuring Ricki-Lee Coulter, Jacinta Tynan, Magda Szubanski and Layne Beachely in royal blue frocks. Highlights: Sarah Wilson's 'Talking Point' column on why punishing workouts may not make you thin and the picnic feast recipes.

Yours truly,
Girl With a Satchel